Ukrainian sentenced to 15 years for aiding Russian strikes
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the sentencing of a Ukrainian citizen to 15 years in prison for collaborating with Russians. The man, operating in the Chernivtsi region, located fuel depots for Russian services.
The sentenced 36-year-old had avoided mobilization for two years before collaborating with the Russians. He then offered his services to the occupiers, which led to the preparation of missile strikes on oil depots in western Ukraine.
The SBU revealed that the man publicly praised Russian troops and justified the war against Ukraine. In Russian online chat rooms, he lauded the aggressors, and during one broadcast, he demonstratively burned a Ukrainian flag, showing loyalty to the Kremlin.
The man was arrested in June 2024. The court found him guilty of treason, justifying Russian aggression, and glorifying participants in the invasion. The 15-year prison sentence results from his actions supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine.
The SBU, which prepared the evidence, emphasized that the convict's actions were particularly harmful in the context of the ongoing armed conflict.
Regarding espionage in Ukraine, the case of the 36-year-old is just one of many steps taken by Russian services, fitting into the broader context of international tensions. Russian intelligence actively tries to gather strategic information, highlighting the scale of intelligence activities in Eastern and Central Europe.
Russia tracks spies, uses them for informational warfare
An example of such activities is the case of Nikolai G., a detained citizen of Hamburg in Kaliningrad, who attempted to blow up a gas station there. As evidence of his work for Germany, Russian media presented a photo found on his phone depicting him with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russian media raised alarms that spies were infiltrating the country. This example served to demonize the West and reinforce the narrative that other countries are harming Russia. Through this, Russian media continues to conduct informational warfare while keeping their own citizens in a state of complete disinformation.
The network of espionage and disinformation activities by Russia shows how important it is for EU countries to remain vigilant and cooperate.
